Campus resources available to help dissuade suicide

Low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness, insecurities, no sense of pride in one’s self.If you add these characteristics with an unstable family life, stress from work and school along with troubles with your mate, what would you have? An individual who may one day think about and attempt to commit suicide.The thought has crossed thousands of individuals’ minds worldwide, but recently the concerns have been fixated on college campus. Suicide is been the second-leading cause of death for college students in the United States. The big question that needs to be asked is why? Why do these students feel they have no value?About 29,350 Americans committed suicide in 2000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More people die from suicide than homicide; there are about 1.7 times as many suicides as homicides. It is the 11th leading cause of death for all Americans, and the third leading cause of death for young people, according to CDC.Acceptance on a college campus is the driving force for many students. The opportunity to be seen and to succeed in the face of others is the fruit of their labor. Failure is not an option. Yet still, many fall into states of depression. “They feel they’re along and unhappy with their lifestyle”, stated Shana Moore, a freshman mass communication major. “I hate to see people by themselves. But I never thought about doing it myself and don’t know anyone who has. But if I knew someone who thought about it I really don’t know what to say or do.”The problem lies with that knowledge students have on the issue. Many students do not know what symptoms to be aware of when someone is thinking about killing themselves. The lone wolf in the cafeteria, talks of leaving school for a while, not wanting to hang out but always in their room and key words such as good-bye instead of see you later are tale-tale sign that something is on that student’s mind.Keosha Montgomery, a sophomore psychology major, said, “People try it because they feel it’s their only way out. The pressures to try and live up to your parents and administration expectations make it hard for students. If they only knew there are other options like people who are there for them when they need them, I don’t think they would ever go through with it.”Winston- Salem State University has such an option. The University Counseling Center (UCC), in room 305 of the Thompson Student Services Center, offers programs and services to assistance students that are having difficulties adjusting to collegiate life. From the pressures of high parental expectations to personal and social acceptance among peers, the counseling center gives a student an ear to listen to and shoulder to cry on.Dr. Deborah Fountain, the director of the University Counseling Center, said that the University Counseling Center offers services if any matter arises. Along with Student Heath Services, Campus Police and other key units on campus. The University Counseling Center is there for any incident providing group and individual services.Winston-Salem State University has a low percentage when it comes to this issue. Speaking with Lt. Marcus Sutton of the university campus police, “there’s a lot of tension around; living away from home, parents and the stress associated with classes.”Just this year, he said there was one incident where a student’s concerned parents called campus police asking to check in on a student. But Sutton’s caseload has not reflected any strange behavior that has been reported here at WSSU.